Molding machine



' 1,451,249 F. J. WOOD MOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1920 5 sheets sheet 1 Apr. 10, 1923. 1,451,249

F. J. WOOD MOLDING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2, 1920 sheets-sheet 2 55 X m /0 I I E W 5 f I J- 57 ,j 6 8 \2 I g I i 1 l lo I n +0 a; 5 2 9 4a m 4 4 4 i M if? "a m Q/ A 43 l I6! 5 I Patented Apr. 10, 1923.-

Nir-uo arteries initiate FRANZ J. WOOD, or nus MOINES, IOWA.

MOLDING MACHINE.

Application filed January 2,1920 Serial No. 849,039.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANZ J. \Voon, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Des Hoines, in the county of Polk and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and useful Molding Machine, of which the following is aspecification.

The object of my invention is to provide a molding machine of the kind used in making molds in sand, andhaving various novel features.

More particularly it is my object to provide such a machine having mechanism operated by compressed air whereby a platform supporting the sand in proper flasks may be forced upwardly with a steady, uniform, powerful pressure against inverted patterns, suitably supported above said platformp A further object is to provide such a machine in which the air may be accurately controlled for pulling the sand away from the pattern with a steady even movement which is slow enough so that it will not disturb the pattern in the sand.

A further object is to provide a frame for supporting the pattern, which frame isreversible on the main frame of the machine, so that the pattern may be mounted on the molding frame right-side up, which pattern holding frame may then be inverted or turned so that the sand may be moved upwardly from below against the pattern.

In this machine the flasks are placed above the pattern, after the patterns have been mounted on their supporting frame, and it is an object of my invention to provide a convenient means for holding the bottoms in the flasks until after the pattern holding frame has been inverted, soxthat the flasks will be held in proper position, and to provide also means for automatically releasing said holding means at a proper time in the operation of the machine.

A furtherobject is to. provide a special device for mounting the platform which supports the sand in the flasks after the molds have been formed. 7

With these and other objects inview my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of the device, whereby the objects contemplatedare attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a front elevation of a molding machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation of the same.

Figure 3 is a detail view of the means for holding the pattern molding frame against rotation. v

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the under side of the board that forms thebottom of the mold flask or form.

' Figure 5 is a detail, sectional view of the mechanism for locking in position the rod which holds the bottom member in position, and the means for automatically releasing said holding device. i v

Figure 6 is a horizontal, sectional view, taken on the line 6--6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a horizontal, sectional view taken on the line 7'7 of Figure l.

Figure 8 is a vertical, sectional view-taken on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a rear elevation of the ma chine, parts being broken away for purposes of better illustration, and parts being shown in vertical, cross section. 2 i

Figure 10 is a vertical, sectional view 0 v the compres ed air cylinder.

Figure 11 is adetail, sectional view of the controlling valve in a different position from that shown in Figure 10'; and

Figure 12 is a detail view partly in section of the means for mounting'the swinging:

platform.

In the accompanying drawings, which il lustrate a form in which my invention may be embodied, I have used thereference numeral 10 to indicate generally a base or supporting frame for my machine, mounted on wheels 11. i The frame 10 comprises the longitudinal side frame memberslO and the transverse end members 10". Approximately mid-way between the end members 10 is a relatively heavy, large, transverse frame member 12, which is preferably provided with an enlarged central portion, provided with a central opening. Fiat-end ng downwardly from said central portion is a cylindrical bearing 14;. Ateach end of the fr'amelO, the trans verse frame member 10 is provided with a socket to receive the screw-threaded lower is a bracket 18 to which is pivoted one.

end of a lever 19. Pivoted to the lever19 is a locking 'bolt or pin 2O which extends through a suitable opening, indicated by dotted lines at 21, in the bracket 18, and is designed to project into an opening 21 in the frame 16 also shown by dotted lines in Figure 3, for locking the pattern holding frame 16 against rotation.

The patterns 22 are preferably attached to the pattern holding frame 16 by resting the patterns on the frame and fastening them to the frame with the hook bolts 23.

In practice where small patterns are used, I preferably fasten two patterns to the pattern holding frame, as illustrated in Figure'S. 3

The flasks are then placed into position around and above the pattern, as illustrated by dotted lines at 24 in Figure 1. v

The flasks are then filled with sand in theordinary way. Assuming that the position' of the flask resting on pattern holding frame, is its inverted position, then I place in its bottom on the sand a bottom member 25 which is illustrated in Figure 4, and which may have the form of a two inch plank with two spaced, longitudinal members 26 on its under surface, which members may be 2x4s or the like.

In getting ready for completing the mold ing operation, it will be understood that the pattern holding frame is released by withdrawing the locking bolt from the hole 21 and the pattern holding frame is then inverted or turned over for moving the mold flask to position hanging downwardly from such frame.

In order to hold the mold flask against the frame and against the pattern and to hold the bottom member in position I have provided the following means.

I provide a rod 27 having at its ends crank members 28. The rod 27 is laid between the members 26 of the respective bottom mem bers-25 with the crank arms 28 hanging downwardly as shown in Figure 1.

'F or looking the members 29 at the ends of the crank arms 28 to the pattern holding frame, I have provided the following means.

Screwed into each end of the pattern holding frame is a rod 30. Each rod 30 hasat its end. spaced from the pattern holding frame 516,. an automatic catch device comprising a catch member 31 fixed to the rod 30 and a catch member 32 for coacting with the catch member 31 pivoted to the rod 30, as illustrated for instance in Figure 5.

On the catch member 32 is a trigger arm 33 projecting therefrom. The catch member 32 is held automatically, yieldingly in locking position by means of a spring 34. The outer adjacent ends of the catch members 31 and 32 are bevelled as at 35, so that when the parts are in the position illustrated in Figure 1, the operator can drop the arms or extensions 29 downwardly against the bevelled faces 35 for thereby forcing theca'tc-h member 32 away from the catch member 31 for permitting said arms 29 to enter between said catch members until the arms reach the hook portions of the catch members, whereupon the springs 34 will cause the catch members at each end of the machine to coact for gripping and locking the arms 29, whereby the rod 27 will be held in position 'for'locking the flasks to the pattern holding frame.

When a casting is being made, which is small enough so that one-half of the mold can be formed on one end of the pattern frame and the other half on the other end, the two patterns are placed on the same side of the pattern frame, on the opposite ends thereof, as illustrated in Figure 8.

Where a larger casting is to be made, the pattern for one-half of the mold may be placed on one side of the pattern frame, and the pattern for the other half may be placed on the other side, thus making it possible to make both halves of the mold from thesame machine in immediate succession without removing or changing the patterns.

Received within the cylinder 14 for vertical sliding movement, is a cylinder 36 on the upper end of which is a table 37, having on its under surface, spaced inwardly from its outer edges, a downwardly extending flange 38 forming a rectangular frame. Screwed into the opposite end of the table 37 are upwardly extending short rods 39 having lateral extensions 40 at their upper ends. I

The table 37 is mounted to slide up and down and the means for moving the table upwardly will be hereinafter described.

There is provided a second table 41' shown in Figure 6 designed to move up and down with the table 37 and also having, when in its lowermost position, a horizontal swing ing movement. The table 41 is provided with a longitudinal groove-42 in its upper surface for receiving the rod 27 in the manner hereinafter described.

The table 41 ha-sat one corner a horizontal extension '43. j The extreme end of said extension is provided with a verticallyelongated socket 44. Supported on-the frame 1'0 right 45, but when the table 37 is lowered the table 42 is lowered with it, and the socket 44 drops over the upright 45. l

At the rear of the machine are upwardly projecting frame members 48 which support P at their upper end an air cylinder 49.

Slidably mounted in the cylinder 49 is a piston 50 having the downwardly extending piston rod 51.

Supported at the rear of the machine is an upright guide member 52. mounted on the guide member 52 is a yoke 53, to whichthe lower end of the piston rod 51 is rigidly connected.

Pivoted to the yoke 53, at the opposite side thereof, are links 54. When the tables 37 and 41'are in the links 54 extend upwardly from the yoke 53, as illustrated in Figure 2.

Rotatably supported on the frame members 10 on opposlte sides of the frame member 12 are transverse shafts 55, arranged parallel with each other and having on their rearward ends fixed arms 56. The arms 56 are pivoted to the links 54, as shown for instance in Figure 2. I

Fixed to each shaft is an arm 57 which projects to position beneath the table 37 within the outline of the frame formed by the flange 38. Atthe free end of each arm 57 is a shaft 58 projecting horizontally in both directions from said arm 57. On the opposite ends of each shaft 58 are rollers 59 which engage the under surface of the table 37. Theparts just described are so constructed that when limited rotation is imparted to the shaft 55, the arms 57 will be moved for raising the table 37. The parts are so constructed and arranged that the side members 38 serve as guides for the ends of the shaft 58, and the end members of the frame'38 serve as stops. 1 I

For supplying compressed air to the cylinder 49, and for controlling the action of the compressed air the following means have been provided.

The supply pipe nectedwith any suitable sourceof compressed air supply. Connected with the supply pipe 60 is a valve casing 61, having the passages 62, 63, 64, and in its wall.

Slidably their lowermost position,

of the frame- 60 is designed to be con- The supply pipe 60 communicates with the passage 62, and therethrough with the in-' terior of the'valve casing.

A connecting pipe 66 leads from the passage 63 to the upper end of the cylinder 49. Another pipe 67 leads from the passage 65 tothe lower part of said cylinder. A takeoff or exhaust pipe 68 communicates with the interior of the valve casing 61 through the passage 64. v

The discharge or exhaust pipe" 68 communicates with a valve casing 69 in which isa valve 70 for controlling the passage of air through the pipe 68.

In the valve casing 61 is a rotary valve 71, having a stem 72. The valve 71' has extending through it an opening 73 which, in one position of said valve connects the supply ipe 60 with the pipe 67, as illustrated in Figure 10, and in another of the positions of the valve connects the supply pipe 16 with the pipe' 66, as illustrated in the position of the valve shown in Figure 11. The valve 71 has extended through'it another opening or passage 74 which in one position of the valve connects the pipe 66with the pipe 68, as illustrated in Figure 10. r

In another position of the valve, illustrated in Figure 11,the opening or passage 74 connects the pipe 68 with the pipe 67 In the wall of the valve casing 61 is what I shall call an escape vent 76. Inthe valve 71 is a passage 75 communicating with the opening 74,'and so located and arranged that when the passage or opening 74 is in the position shown in Figure 10, the passage 75 leads from the passage. 74 to the'vent 76. Itwill be seen that when the valve 71 isfin other positions than that shown in Figure 10, the outer end of the passage 7 5is closed. I will now explain in some detail the operation of my improved molding machine.

When the machine is ready for commencing operation, the/piston 50 is in its lower position, and the tables 37 and 41 are lowered, as shown for instance in Figure 2.

The pattern holding frame 16, being held locked against rotation by the locking bolt 20, the patterns 22 are securedto the frame 16. The flasks 24 are then assembled on the frame 16 and are filledwith sand in the ordinary way. The bottom members 25, shown in Figure 4. are placed in position on the bottoms oft-the sand contents of the flasks, the rod 27 is dropped between the members 26 of the respective bottoms 2 5, with the ends 28 droppingdownwardly in the position shown. in Figure 1, and the arms or extensions 29 are forced-between the catch members 31 and 32.; v The operator then grasps the handle of the lever 19 and releases the locking bolt 20, and thereafterrotatesor swings thepattern holding frame 16 on its spindles 17 for in-. verting it. The bottoms of. the mold flasks will then rest just above the table 41, and

the mold flasks will be held secured to the frame 16 by means of the rod 27.

The operator moves the valve 71 until it stands in the position shown in Figure 10, where the passage 73 connects the supply pipe 60 with the pipe 67 for supplying air to the lower the piston 50.

The pressure of the air in the lower part of the cylinder will force the piston up w wardly.

The air in the upper part of the cylinder will pass out through the pipe 66 and the passage 74 and the passage 75, and the discharge vent 76. The valve 70 is opened, and part of the air may pass out through the pipeGS.

It will be seen that the upward movement of the piston and the stem 51 will carry with these members the yoke 53, the links 54, and the arms 56, for thereby imparting rotation to the shaft for swing ing the arms 57 upwardly.

The upward movement of the arms 57 will lift thetable 37 which, in turn, will lift the table 41.

When the table 37 hasmoved upwardly a short distance, the extensions 40 will strike the armsSS (see Figure 5) for releasing the catch members 32 and permitting the rod 27 to drop into the groove 42.

The table 41 will engage the bottom menibers-25 through the media of the members 26 for forcing the bottom members into the mold flasks and pushing the sand upwardly around the patterns for forming the mold properly.

. It will be seen that with the link and lever structure herein described the sand can be forced upwardly against the mold pattern with a powerful, steady, even pressure.

' After this part of the operation has been completed the mold is vibrated in any suitable way at the beginning and during the first part of the withdrawing or lowering movement of the table, as, for instance, by some standard vibrator such as is now used on molding machines.

After the first part of the operationhas been completed, and the pattern has been formed in thesand in the upper part of the mold, the operator turns the valve 71 from its-position shown in Figure 10, to its position shown in Figure 11, whereupon the passage73 will connect the supply pipe 60 with the pipe 66 for supplying compressed air to the upper part of the cylinder, while the passage 74 will connect the pipe 67 with the pipe 68. Compressed'air will be forced into the upper part of the cylinder for causing the piston to move gradually downward, for therebylowering, the tables 41 and 9-7. Air in the lower part .of the cylinder will part of the cylinder 49, below moves upwardly away be forced out through the pipe 67,, the passage 74 and the pipe 68.

. The rapidity of the escape of theai-r from the lower part of the cylinder, and the speed of the downward movement of the piston and of the tables 41 and87 may be accurately regulated by setting the valve in the-desired position. 1

hen the proper position has once been ascertained the valve 70 may be left in that position and the machine can many times without further adjustment of such valve.

It is well-known that it is necessary that thedownward movement of the mold flask and the sand should be slow and steady in order that the withdrawal of the sand in the flask from thepattern may be slow and may occur without arring or disturbing the sand or pulling it apart. Such a movement is madecertain by the control afforded by the valve 70. and also by the general construction of the raising and lowering mechanism.

It will be seen from the description of the raising and lowering mechanismhereinbefore set forth, that the arms 57 are so arranged with relation 'to the shaft 55, and to the under surface of the table 37, that the movement of the table 37 upwardly during the first part of the operation is comparatively rapid, while theupward movement during the latter part of such movement is comparatively slow, but the leverage during the latter part of such movement is very great. Thus the greatest power is exercised where it is most needed.

. It follows also that the first part of the withdrawing movement while thelatter part of the withdrawing or lowering movement is more rapid.

It will be seen that when the tables are raised, the socket 44, shown inFigure 12, from the upright 45.

It is obvious, however, that when the tables are lowered the socket 44 will drop over the upright 45. I

After the tables have been lowered, the mold flask will rest upon the table 41., because the rod 27 will have been previously released as above described.

The operator then swings the table 41 outwardly soas to allow ready access to the mold flask, and removes the mold flask with the mold contained therein from the machine.

The table 41 is then swung back to position above the table 37, and the machine is ready for use again.

The advantages of my improved molding machine may be very largely seen from the foregoing description of its construction and operation.

I am able to utilizecompressed air for power for effecting the formation of the mold in the sand, and compressed air gives be operated is slow and steady,

a powerful and uniformly exerted power. I am able to regulate the action of the air very accurately and completely, especially on account of the arrangement of the valve 70. y

It will be noted that I employ a process wherein the patterns are held rigidin inverted position and the sand contained'in the mold jacket is moved upwardly toward the patterns.

I find that I get better molds in this way than I do where the patterns are moved toward and forced into the sand, in the old way.

I realize that changes may be made in the details of the construction and arrangement of the parts of my improved molding machine without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention; and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reason,- ably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a molding machine; a frame; means at the upper part of said frame for supporting patterns in inverted position; a mold table below said means; and mechanism for raising and lowering said mold table, said mechanism being adapted to move said table upwardly with relatively less speed and greater power during the latter part of its upward movement, and including adjustable means for regulating the speed of the lowering movement of the table.

2. In a molding table; a main frame; a pattern holding frame at the upper portion of said main frame; a guide member; a second guide member vertically slidable therein; a table on said second member; a pair of parallel shafts; arms on said shafts arranged to engage the under-side of said table; and means for imparting limited rotary movement to said shafts; said means comprising a cylinder; a piston therein; a piston rod connected with said piston; a slidable member connected with said rod; links pivoted to said slidable member; and arms on said shafts pivoted to said links.

3. In a molding machine; a main frame; a pattern holding frame at the upper part of said main frame; a mold table below said pattern holding frame; a cylinder; a piston therein, having a stem; mechanism for imparting movementv from said stem to said table for raising said table; and adjustable means for supplying air to the cylinder selectively on either side of the piston; and means for regulating the speed of the escape of air from the cylinder on one side of the piston.

4:. in a molding machine; a main frame; a pattern holding frame-supported on the upper portion of said main frame; a mold table below said pattern holding frame; a

cylinder; a piston therein; means for imparting movement from said piston to said mold table"; means for supplying compressed air to the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston as desired, said means including an m air supply pipe; a valve casing communicating therewith; a pipe leading from the said valve casing to one end of the cylinder; a pipe leading from said valve casing to the other end of said cylinder; and a fourth pipe communicating with said casing; a valve in said casing having passages; one of said passages being designed in one position of the valve to communicate with said first and second pipes, and in another position of the valve to communicate with said first and third pipes; another of said passages being adapted in the first position of the valve to communicate with said third and fourth pipes, and in the second position of said valve to communicate with the fourth and second pipes; said casing having an additional exit opening; said valve having a passage communicating with said second passage therein and arranged in the first de scribed position of said valve to communicate with said exit opening.

5. In a molding machine; a main frame; a pattern holding frame supported on the upper portion of said main frame; a mold table below said pattern holding frame; a cylinder; a piston therein; means for imparting movement from said piston to said mold table; and means for supplying compressed air to the cylinder on opposite sides of the piston, said means including an air supply pipe; a valve casing communicating therewith; a pipe leading from the said valve casing to one end of the cylinder; a pipe leading from said valve casing to the other end of said cylinder; and a fourth pipe communicating with said casing; a valve in said casing having passages,

one of said passages being designed in one position of the valve to communicate with said first and second pipes, and in another position of the valve to communicate with said first and third pipes; another of said passages being adapted in the first position of the valve to communicate with said third and fourth pipes and in the second position of said valve to communicate with the fourth and second pipes; said casing having an additional exit opening; said valve having a passage communicating with said second passage therein, and arranged in the first described position of said valve to communicate with said exit opening, and an adjustable valve in said fourth pipe.

6. In a molding machine, a main frame, a pattern holding frame on the upper portion of said main frame, a mold table below said pattern holding frame mounted for recipro-' cation toward and from the pattern holding frame, a yoke device on said pattern holdllhl ing frame, means for detachably securing the yoke device to the pattern holding frame, and means carried by the mold table for releasing said first named means when the mold table is moved to one position of said movement.

7. In a molding machine;,a main frame; a rotatable pattern holding frame; a mold table below said pattern holding frame;

- means for raising and lowering said mold table; and means for pivotally'snpporting said mold table 'on the main frame, when said mold table is in its lowermost position.

8. In a molding machine, a main frame, a

pattern holding frame "on the upper portion of said main frame, a mold table below said pattern holding frame mounted for reoipr0- cation toward and from the pattern holding frame, a yoke device on said pattern holding frame, means for detachably securing the yoke device to the pattern holding frame, said mold table having a groove receiving a portion of said yoke, and means carried by the mold table for releasing said first means when the mold table is moved to one position of said movement. Des Moines, Iowa, December 12, 1919.

FRANZ J. 00D. 

